Information for New Students

Application Process for New First-Year Students

First-year applicants to the University of Maryland are automatically considered for admission to the Honors College when they submit a completed undergraduate application to the University by the preferred November 1 deadline and are admitted. There is no separate addendum or special application for the Honors College.

Invitations to the Honors College are extended to new first-year students who demonstrate exceptional academic ability and promise. Students' applications are carefully evaluated on the basis of academic achievement in high school, rigor of high school program, application essays, letters of recommendation, participation in extracurricular activities (including work and home responsibilities), and standardized test scores. There are no numerical thresholds (such as a minimum SAT/ACT or GPA) to be considered for Honors College admission although most successful applicants are among the most academically motivated and talented students in our pool by these measures. The Honors College welcomes a nationally and internationally diverse group of students each year. There is no quota for in-state versus out-of-state students.

In addition to participating in a living-learning program, Honors students may also wish to participate in a Departmental Honors Program in their academic major. Entrance to most Departmental Honors Programs is by application in the sophomore or junior year.

Transfer Students

Transfer Students from other Colleges or Universities

Transfer students to Maryland from other colleges and universities may occasionally be admitted to the University Honors Program in the Honors College on a space-available basis, normally after two semesters of college coursework. Admission for transfer students is highly competitive and the number of spaces available varies considerably from year to year.

The University Honors application for transfer students for fall 2017 will be available on this website starting May 1, 2017. Applications for fall 2017 will be due by August 1, 2017.

Transfer students who are admitted to the University of Maryland may join the Honors College after matriculating by applying to a Departmental Honors Program in their major (normally in the sophomore or junior year). Normally students must complete at least one or two semesters of coursework at Maryland to be eligible for a departmental honors program. Please review the entrance and academic requirements for the departmental honors program in your major for more information.

Current UMD Students

Current University of Maryland students may be admitted to the University Honors Program in the Honors College on a space-available basis, normally after two semesters of coursework at Maryland.Admission for current Maryland students is highly competitive and the number of spaces available varies considerably from year to year.

The University Honors application for current University of Maryland students for fall 2017 will be available on this website starting May 1, 2017. Applications for fall 2017 will be due by August 1, 2017.

Current Maryland students may also join the Honors College by applying to a Departmental Honors Programin their major (normally in the sophomore or junior year). Please review the entrance and academic requirements for the departmental honors program in your major for more information.